Carroll expands 2014 streets project to $1.5 million

Carroll city officials have expanded an $870,000 street-resurfacing project for 2014 into a $1.5 million plan. It's the largest streets project since 1998, according to Public Works director Randy Krauel.

The city is taking advantage of a favorable debt situation and borrowing climate to accelerate street work, Krauel said.

Carroll's Public Works Department had been planning street-resurfacing project next year in the full "fish bowl" neighborhood between Grant Road and Main Street. The work will now include Alta Vista Drive, Eighth Street and West Street as well - street improvements previously slated for 2015.

Construction is expected to start next spring with bidding in February or March. The expected completion date is Nov. 1, 2014.

The work will involve concrete patching and asphalt resurfacing in the following areas: Bass Street from Pike Avenue to Grant Road; Marcella Heights Drive from Bass Street to Grant Road; Pike Avenue from Main Street to 18th Street; Perch Street from Pike Avenue to Grant Road; Alta Vista Drive from Grant Road to High Ridge Road; Eighth Street from Vine Street to High Ridge Road; and West Street from 18th Street to 21st Street.

Since 2006, the city has appropriated about $500,000 annually for streets project.

Council members approved financing for the $1.5 million 2014 plan on Monday.

The city will use a mix of local funding and $800,000 in bonds to fund the street work.

The debt will affect taxpayers as follows: $1.31 per $1,000 valuation in fiscal year 2014-2015; 83 cents per $1,000 valuation in fiscal year 2015-2016; and 34 cents per $1,000 valuation in fiscal year 2016-2017.

In the absence of the project, or a similar one, the city would have had zero debt service levy in 2016-2017.

"There was an opportunity and a philosophy of maintaining a level of debt service," Krauel said.